Pires was arrested following a complaint by Hannah Brewer, a 19-year-old from Manchester who won the Miss Maryland pageant. He was denied bail in the case.

A statement from attorney Francis Malofiy says the accusations were false. The statement says Pires “did nothing more than send a single fan message to a public figure that was in no way lewd or inappropriate, but simply congratulatory and supportive in nature.” Pires is considering taking further legal action, Malofiy said.

Brewer was a finalist at the Miss America pageant in September, and won the swimsuit competition.